We Need a Posture of Humility… Hello weekend readers. I watched the Medal of Honor ceremony this morning for Captain Paris Davis. As I cheered and wept and cheered again, I also felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit telling me to change my already-written Weekend Musing and I obliged Spirit’s nudge!

Captain David was the first African American that became a Green Beret and fought in the Vietnam War. His story is incredible, the bravery and concern for his soldiers exemplified a man who cared, who would never leave you or forsake you even in the worst of battle. At his own peril and injury he just kept going until everyone was out. Twice his men and others petitioned to seek the Medal of Honor for him, but “somehow” those petitions, according to the Army, “got lost.” Was racism involved? In those times it was rare to decorate an African American soldier. Yet, this man of humility never got upset, he just continued living his life the same way he did on the battlefield. Selflessness, caring, and walking justly with God.

At the ceremony this morning as I watched this now-60-years-finally-in-the-making honor, he still had a posture of humility. For him, this medal was for all those soldiers and he said so! I cried, and thanked God for such a good man; it reminded me of my dad as well. He hid his medals because “it isn’t about me; it was about all of us.” A life of humility indeed.

Christine Caine writes: A Posture of Humility is outwardly seen. Reminds me of when my dad would say, “don’t slump, stand up straight.” What does a posture of humility look like? It shows a face of thankfulness with strength; you look at the person and it is someone you respect and want to befriend. Humility doesn’t pump-up what they do. For the humble, their joy of helping another person—especially in life-threatening circumstances like Davis—is what a person is supposed do—how could you not?!

As I watched this ceremony all I could think of is—isn’t this our Jesus? When we were dead in our sins, he rescued us and that rescue cost him his life. Philippians 2:5–11 in the Message translation, is powerful and the words resonate uniquely with our society today:

 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

The Israelites were hoping for a mighty warrior-king to take out their enemies—oops, not God’s intention. Instead, Jesus humbled Himself when He came to Earth; he didn’t come to be served, but to serve others—and he showed that when he washed the disciples’ feet. Imagine the posture of humility as the Messiah carried his cross to Golgotha! I can barely think of that without weeping.

But this posture of humility was not just what Jesus did, it is what Jesus calls us to do as well. He is not asking us to think less of ourselves—that isn’t even the description of humility. Instead, Jesus asks us to join him in this humility that helps us know who we are, who we are not and whose we belong to! Humility is knowing God is God and we are NOT!

Like all people on earth, we are created in his image, he lives in our hearts, and we have the faith and assurance that, through him, we can serve, care and love others because we are all created the same. In other words, there is no need for boasting, no ego, no aggrandizing. I weep for those who don’t want to have faith in Jesus, they are missing out on so much!

Humility will mark our lives with inner joy and peace, and the strength that no boast or ego could create. Like Captain Paris Davis, we step up not to show our strength, but to work in the strength of Christ to help one another. It’s not another “notch in our belt”— it is a step of faith that changes both the giver and the receiver. We need to check our posture of humility. Remember—ego is E.G.O.—edging God out. Don’t go there. Instead let’s walk humbly with our God and always be ready to help another. AMEN.

Below is the story of Captain Paris Davis. Keep a Kleenex handy, you’ll need it. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/special-forces-paris-davis-medal-of-honor/